A taxi driver has been robbed in Bolton.

A 52-year-old man driving a blue Toyota Carina taxi went to collect a fare from Crescent Avenue in Bolton.

Two men got into the car and asked to go to Seymour Road. One sat in the passenger seat and the other got in the back behind the driver.

When the car reached Seymour Road, the passengers asked him to turn right onto Wilton Street where he stopped.

The passenger, who was sat in the back, paid the fare then grabbed hold of the driver from behind and put his arm around his neck, stifling him. He demanded cash which the driver handed over.

Both offenders ran off along Wilton Street towards Mallison Street following the incident at around 7.30pm last Tuesday.

Detective Constable Steve Riddle, of Bolton CID, said: “The offender effectively put the driver in a headlock which stifled him and meant he struggled to breathe.

“Thankfully he only suffered slight reddening to his neck but he was understandably shocked and scared.

“We are urging anybody who knows anything about this incident, or who saw two people running from a taxi on Wilton Street at about 7.45pm that night to get in touch.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 5609/5625 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.